Pilot operated fluid pressure control valve



16, 1952 G. F. MAGLOTT 2,610,647

PILOT OPERATED FLUID PRESSURE CONTROL VALVE Filed Aug. 4, 1947 Patented Sept. 16, 19542 PrLoT oPERA'rED eREssURE CONTROL VALVE George F. Maglott, Wrentham, Mass., assiglor to Brown and Sharpe Manufacturing Company, a corporation of Rhode Island Application August 4, 1947, Serial No. 765,862

6 Claims. (Cl. 137-487) The present invention relates to improvements in fluid pressure control devices of the general type adapted for controlling the pressure of a substantially non-compressible liquid medium, and is concerned more particularly with a fluid pressure control valve-of the general description having a main valve mechanism and a pilot valve mechanism for directing the fluid pressure to shift the main valve mechanism between open and shut-off positions. This application isa continuation in part of the abandoned application of George F. Maglott, Serial No. 543,133, filed July 1, 1944, for Fluid Pressure Control Devices. f

It is a principal object of the present invention to provide a nove1 and imp-roved valve mechanism of this general description including the pilot valve mechanism which isv welladapted for controlling a substantially non-compressible liquid pressure medium such as oil in a system to maintain a close regulation of the liquid pressure.

Y More specically, it is an object of the invention to provide a novel and improved fluid pressure control Valve which is well adapted for effecting a straight line regulation of a liquid medium such as oil under heavy pressure, is sensitive to slight changes in the pressure to be regulated, is'simple in construction, and at the same time is so constructed and arranged as to insure a smooth flow of` the liquid mediumr through the vvalve with a minimum of erosion and wear` in the spacer member inserted therebetween, the external faces of the two valve elements being connected respectively with the pressure to b e regulated and with exhaust, and the internal faces of the valve elements being. connected respectively with the regulating chamber of the main valve. The pilot valve mechanism described weighs directly against the main pressure to be regulated,

and in turn controls the regulating pressure to the f "main valve so that' the main valve member is acted Vupon in opposite'directions by two inversely varying forces. In accordance Vwith the invention, for use in the pilot mechanism vabove described. 'line contact valves., preferably b'all'valves,v are em- 2 ployed so that the pressure areas on opposite sides of each valve when closed are equal in size. The pilot valve mechanismis thus made immediately responsive to slight changes in the pressure acting on opposite sides of the ball valves. During operation of the valve mechanism to control the pressure of a non-compressible liquid medium such as oil, the positions of the main valve member and of the pilot valve members tend to b ecome rapidly stabilized as the pressure to be regulated reaches the desired level. Any tendency of the pilot valve mechanism to oscillate between alternative open yand closed positions is substantially damped out, and an extremely close straight line regulation of the pressure to be regulated is achieved.

The several features of the invention consist also in the devices, combinations and arrangement of parts which together with'the advantages to be obtained thereby will be readily understood by one skilled in the art from the following description taken Lin connection with the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. 1 is a sectional view in side elevation of a fluid pressure control valve in the nature of a fluid pressure regulating valve comprising a main valve mechanism and a pilot valve mechanism which embodies in a preferred form the several features of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, illustratingV particularly the conduit connecting the regulating chamberofvthe.y pilot valve mechanism with the regulating chamber of the` mechanism for use as a reducing valve; Fig; 5

is a detail sectional view on an enlarged scale of lthe ball valves and spacer member of the pilot valve mechanism shown in Fig. 1'; and Fig. 6 is a detail sectional view on an enlarged scale 'ofthe valves and spacer member of the pilot valve mechanism, but with a different type of valve member from the balls shown in the preceding figures.

The valve mechanism illustrated as embodying in a preferred form the several features of the invention is .of the general type comprising a lmain valve member shiftable between open and shut-off positions so as to provide a variable throttling ofthe flow through the valve and thus to regulate the pressure in the actuating pressure conduit, and a spring-actuated pilot valve through which uid pressure is directed to control-the aideav action of the main valve member. Applicants improved valve mechanism is particularly adapted for controlling liquid pressures in an oil distributing system, and is illustrated in the drawings in two alternative forms for use as a pressure regulating valve and as a pressure reducing valve. The pilot valve mechanism employed for controlling the operation of the main valve comprises a chamber or conduit through which fluid pressure is directed into a control chamber against the main valve member, two oppositely disposed balltype valves arranged for line contact with Vtheir seating members which connect the chambers respectively with the pressure to be regulated and with exhaust, and a spacer member which acts to move one valve member off its seat before the other is completely closed.

Referring specically to the drawing, the control valve mechanism illustrated as embodying in a preferred form theseveral features of the invention, in each .of the :forms shown. comprises avalve casing I Il in which is formed a transversely extending -conduit .i2 which contains the duid pressure to be regulated, anda longitudinally extending bore lai lwhich communicates with the conduit 'I52 Vandfforn'xs a cylinder to yreceive the movable element or plunger of +Ahe main valve of the ldevice. The Abore iii. lis connected also with 4la vertically extending conduit EB for an actuating `pressure .ata different level, which is arranged tobe connected witlfror closed oironi the :conduit AI2 .by movement of the main valve member 33. In that :forni oiA .the device particularly illustrated Vin Fig. l, in .which the valve mechanism is employed :as -a regulating valve, conduit I8 is connected with exhaust. llnran alternative for-m of the device shown in Eiglfand hereinafter to be described, .in which the valve mechanism is employedas a reducing valve, the conduit i8 vis connected with supply pressure. An additional ybore .20 which extends longitudinally of .the casing ,provides a housing for the pilot valve mechanism of the device.. A vertically arranged bore or drill 22 inthe casing .provides a connectien between the Vconduit I2 containing the pressure` to'be regulated .and pilot valve inlet chamber 2-3provided within the lefthandtendof lthe bore 23. .A second vertically arranged `bore .in Vthe valve :casing n It' provides 'an exhaust connection 245from the main valve'bore I4 to la pilot valve exhaust ,chamber 25 comprising the right .hand end of the pilot valvebore 2d, and also provides a conduit or passageway :2t .leading from the pilot `valve exhaust chamber 25 to exhaust or spill. rEhe valve casing I-G is drilled Yalso Vto provide a passageway which extends `from apilot valve regulating chamber 27 located :centrally within the gpilot 'Valve bore 2Q as lhereinafter moregfully -set forth, to a regulating chamber 2S which comprises the right hand end of the main valve bore I4. This'latterconduit, as bestshown in Figs. 2 and 3, comprises a transverse drill 29 connecting thechamber 27 in the pilot valve bore 2 V,with a longitudinallyextending drill 3B which in turn is connected by an upwardly extending drill 32 -with the regulating chamber .2:8 of the main valve mechanism. The valve mechanism shown in Figs. 1, 2, .3 Aand 5, as embodying in a preferred form the several features .of the invention, is ,particularly constructed fand arranged for use as aregulating valve. the ldevice the main vvalve mechanism .chosen ,for illustration, comprises the bore i4 within .which is supported an-axially movable control element or plunger 33, an auxiliary fluid pressure ,actuated 1n this form of 4 piston 34 which is supported to slide in a some; what enlarged portion of the bore Hi for engagement against the rear end of the plunger 33, and a light compression spring 36 which is seated at one end against the auxiliary plunger 35. and at its other end within the recess of a socket inember ist screw-threaded intothe end of the bore it. The end of the bore I4 containing the main plunger assembly is enclosed by means of a lock ing'nut in the form of a cap 62 which is screwn threaded to and locks the socket member lid. A stop member in the form of a stern formed on the socket member :lil and projecting axially through the spring 35 acts to prevent excessive movement of thevplunger 33 and piston 3 to the right. Y

Connection is provided between the conduit I2 containing the pressure to be regulated and the exhaust conduit i8 through an axial bore it formed in the forward end of the plunger 33 and four Ytransverse ports 48 connecting the bore 45 with the outer periphery of the plunger 33. Movement of theplunger or control element 33 axiallyY is effective to open or close -o `thepasf sage through the ports'vt to the exhaust conduit iS. In'the position shown in Fig. l, the passageway between'conduit I2 and conduit iS isclosed ofi. When the valve is operatively connected, however, the plunger 33 will variably assume a position between fully closed and fully open positions according to the demands of the hydraulic system which the valve governs, in which position thel ports d3 will be connected to the conduit iB, allowing the excess of the fluid above that required to escape into the exhaust conduit i8 through ports 48. The control element lil is formed alsojwith-a passage 5G connecting the exhaust conduit I8 Ywith the rear end of the plunger 33.- In the embodiment or" the invention illustrated in Fig.'1,'this passageway is closed-oliE by means of a plug 5,2. The arrangement of the exhaust passage -2ii with relationto the auxiliary piston 3d is such as `to cause any iluid which seeps past'the control element 33 and piston 3d to be collected and drawn oi to the spill'or ex-V haust.

The pilot valve mechanism which forms more Y specifically the subject-matter of the'presentinven-tion, as previouslypointed out, is housed within the bore 28 andconsists ci the inlet chamber 23, the regulating chamber -27 and the exhaust chamber 25, these chambers'beingseparated from one another by two line contact ball valves formed with disk seats'which'serve to partition the several chambers from one .another within'the bore 2S). The inlet chamber 23 isfseparated from the regulatingchamber 27 in the construction shown in Figs. 1 and 5, by means of a ball valve which comprises `a disk seat 55 having aplane conical seating surface and a ball member 56 which is arranged tobe forced yieldingly against its seat by the pressure to `be regulated passing fromconduit I-2 through conduit 22 into the inlet chamber 23. 'The yregulating chamber 21 of the 'pilot valve mechanism is separated from the exhaust chamber l25 by'means-ofa second ball valve comprising a-disk seat with an edge seating surface screw-threaded into the. inner wallof the bore and aball -60'loosely supported therein and arranged vto be forced yieldingly against its seat by fmeans of an adjustable'coil spring '62 seated at one end against a :bearingmember 64 which engages the ball and'at'its other end against a plug Eiscrew-threaded into' the right hand' end of the bore 2.0 and held in `its adjustedv position by means of a locking nut 68T.' Specicall'y in accordance with the invention, in the-l construction shown in Figs. 1 and-5, .the balls 56 and 60 and .their` seats areconstructedl to close with a line contact between the ball and seat members to provide substantially equal pressure vareas at op,- posite sides of the line of contact. The balls 56 and/6D are separated from lone another by a spacer member 'Ill which is of smaller diameter thanqth'e valve openings to avoid interference with the flow of pressure fluid through the valves and of such length that movement of either ball valve to its closed position forces the other ball to a raised position.v A strainer is provided in the. inlet chamber 23 to the pilot valve mechanism; in the'form .of a perforated tube I2 provided at itsV inner end with a spacing collar 'I3 and arranged at its outer endto be seated in a recessed plug 'I4 which closes the left hand end of the bore 26. A .lightr compression spring I6 coiled within the tube 'I2 acts to retain the ball 56 in its operative position.

Thek operation of the re-gulating valve mechanism. above described as shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and V5 of the drawing, will be described as follows: The regulation of the pressure to be regulated in conduit I2 is determined by the adjustment of the ,compression spring 62 of the pilot valve mechanism. The pump which sup-plies the regulating valve furnishes a greater supply of fluid than is required for the operation being performed, and the purpose of the valve, when acting as an excess pressure regulator, is to spill the excessive liquid from and above that required by the hydraulic system, in such a manner as to maintain a constant head pressure. This is done byautomatically controlling a variable throttling member 33. It is assumed that the pressure to be regulated in the conduit I2 threatens t'o drop below the desired Value because of some change in the hydraulic system being supplied, such as.

by the opening of a valve to an additional operating line. The spring 62 immediately acts on ball 60 .to urge it closer to its seat, throttling down the exhaust connection from the regulating chamber 21 of the pilot valve mechanism to the exhaust chamber 25. The spacer member IG acts at the same time to urge the ball 5601i? its seat a corresponding amount to open a little wider the inlet connection to the regulation chamber 21 from conduit I2 andl inlet chamber 23, so that the back pressure in the regulating chamber 28 of the main valve mechanism is instantaneously increased. With this construction in which the pilot valve mechanism weighs directly against the main pressure to be regulated, there is provided in the secondary, two inversely varying resistances so that the main valve member is acted upon in opposite directions by two inversely varying forces, the positions of the main valve member and of the pilot Valve members become rapidly stabilized as the pressure to be regulated reaches the desired level. Only in the event of sudden changes in quantity flowing in the main line will the valve members of the pilot mechanism be .caused to open and close alternately. The relatively small change in the position of the piloty valve members may, however, produce a relatively large amount of movement of the main valve element to adapt it to the conditions encountered.. The movement of the main valve member may vary from almost completely closed to Wide open position. A very important advantage'of applicants novel pilot Valve control for a main valve as above described-consists in the highly accurate control and 7stabilization of position'of the main valve so that it can'spill a proper amount of excess liquid from the amount used in the hydraulic system in orderv toA maintain an accurate, straightline regulation of the pressure therein. l The pilotvalveof the present invention maintains a positively straight-line control of pres'.A sure in the system by an action rwhich is the hydraulic equivalent of a Wheatstone bridge, in which any tendency to an unbalanced condition is immediately counteracted, the ball valves being extremely sensitive and resulting ina floating condition with both ball valves off their seats and with the `pilot valve arrangement weighing directly l,against the pressure to be regulated. The actionv takes `place instantaneously when there is any tendency for a, change in pressure to occurrsince the ball valves weighdirectly against the pressure to be regulated, and there is no time delay, or cycling action, with respect to the main throttling valve plunger 33. For the sake of indicating the clearance Vbetween the ball valves and their seats, in Figs. l and 5, they have been shown exaggerated, Vwith ball 60 a. comparatively great distance. oir its seat, and ball 56 seated. In actual operation, as already. explained', both valves are off their seats and the condition is vmore nearly as shown in Fig.v 6, where. the small distance between both valves and their seats would be difficult to indicate.

.Applicant has found that a valve mechanism constructedand arranged to operate in this mariner .is capable'of maintaining an' extremely accurate and'constant. regulation -of the rpressure to be regulated inthe conduit I2. 'The construction illustrated including 'particularly the .1 ball valves'and the spacer member I0 hasthe further advantage that it is simple, is not subject to -erosion or wear, and does not include any small, passagewaysl or restrictions in which impurities of theiiuid medium might become lodged with consequent interference with the continued and ellicient `operation'of the mechanism. The construc-tion of the pilot mechanism in which vthe valve members 5S and 60 are independently movable away fromone another is of advantage also in that exhaust valve 'member 60 is permitted to open freely to its fullest extent toprovide furthe rapid exhaust from chambers 28and2'I inthe event of a heavy surge of pressure which would cause a rapid movement of the controlelement 33 to the right.

While in the illustrated embodiment of the4 invention, the ball 56 is shown as being somewhat larger than the ball 60, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the particular con,- struction shown, and that under different condi tions it may be Vfound advantageous to employ a ball 56 which is the same size or smallerv than the ball 60. The sizes of the balls employed will depend uponthe desired relationship in area of contact of theball seats to one another, and upon the ratio of the main pressure to the spring Fig. 4 of the drawings illustrates particularly a` reducing valve construction which is adapted to be controlled by the pilot valve mechanism of Fig. 1 of the drawings. In this instance, identical parts are employed including the casing I0 having formed-therein the conduit I2 which contains the fluid pressure to be regulated and a second conduit I8 located at right angles thereto. In the illustration of Fig. 4, vit is assumed', however, that the conduit I8 is' connected with 7 the V.pressure supply, `and that .a liquid medium such Vas oil -is 4supplied through the conduit I8 under a pressure which is in excess of that which -isftolbe'rproduced by regulation in the vconduit I2. lAs `in the illustrations `previously considered, the conduit I2 is connected by the drill 22 with the inlet chamber of the pilot valve mechanism, and spillconduit 24 connects with the exhaust chamber 25 of the pilot valve mechanism. For use in the freducing valve of Fig. 4, a somewhat ldiffer- :ent vform of valve control element or plunger designated at SII-is employed. In this form of the plungena bore 82 extends from the left hand lend thereof through a major portion of the length of the plunger. A chamber'SS at the innerfend-of the bore 'S2 :is connected b'ymeans of ...por-ts 88 with the pressure inlet pipe I8. Movement of the main valve control element 80. to A'theright acts to throttle down the fluid delivered tocondut I2 by 'conduit I8, and movement of the control elements@ to the left acts to open the passageway through ports 88, chamber 66, and bore'82 to admit uid pressure to the Vconduit I2. As 'in the embodiment of the invention illustrated zin Fig. 1, the plunger or control element B is engaged by a secondary plunger 90 which is held in engagement with the element 80 by a ylight spring 92 and is acted upon by uid pressure `in the regulating Achamber 28 as determined bythe action'of the pilot valve mechanism'above described. Y

Fig.. 6 of the drawings illustrates an alternative form ofthe pilot valve mechanism adapted for use in ycarrying out the present invention. In

this formof the devi-ce the bore housing the pilot valve lmechanism is shown with a slightly restricted central'portion rSi! having at one side lthereof the chamber 23 and at the other side thereof the chamber 25 of the pilot valve mechanism above described. A valve cage is provided to be tted within the restriction 94 comprising -a sleeve member 95 having a conical-shaped inlet valve seat 98 at one end thereof, and a conicalshaped exhaust valve seat ISD at the other end thereof. An inlet -valve member `I2 having a spherical contact surface to provide la line con- -tact with its seat as indicated by the construction lines in Fig. 6, and with onemember |04 of a telescoping spacer element extending therefrom is itted to the seatf98, and an exhaust valve member |06 having a spherical contact surface to provide 'a line contact with its seat and with the other member |08 of the telescoping spacer element extending therefrom, is fitted to the Vexhaust valve seat |00. As in the construction previously described, the spacer element comprising the telescoping members H34 4and |08 is constructed and arranged to t loosely within the sleeve member 96 to permit free passage of the vfluid medium between the two valves. The spacer element is of such length as to cause one valve to be opened before the other is completely closed. The sleevemember 96 is provided with a plurality of lateral drills I I 0 connecting with an annular groove II2 formed in the outer periphery of the sleeve 9B. The groove II2 corresponds with Aand performs the same function as the chamber 21 of the previously described construction shown in Figs. 1 and v5, and is connected with the passage-29 best shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

It will be understood that the invention is not limited to the specic embodiment shown, Yand that various deviations may b e made therefrom without vdeparting from the spirit and scope Vof Athe appended claims.

What-.Tis claimed is: Y

l. -A 'luid pressure Vreducing vvalve for effecting a constant straight line pressure regulation of va non-compressible liquid medium, which comprises a main valve assemblyincluding a conduit con'- taining theliquid under pressure to `Aberegi'ilate'd, and a second conduit connected with supplyipressure, a liquid pressure control element movable in V"alternate 'directions to connect and to'fclose off said conduits from one another and arranged to be acted "upon` bythe pressure to belregul'ated in one `direction to close oi the Vvconduits-anda pilot valvemechanism responsive to the pressure to beregulated for controlling themovement of the control element, said pilot valve mechanism comprising a valve chamber connected to direct liquid 'pressure Vagainst the control element inthe opposite direction to'urge the'same in said op'p'osite direction to 'connect said conduitsa 'valve for admitting the liquid 'under pressure vto be regulated to said chamber, including la valve seat and a valve member seated'by said pressure fand having a, line contact With the seat, ,la second valve including a valve seat 'and a valve member having ya line contact therewith when seated land arrangedwhen unseated to connect the chamber with an exhaust, an adjustable spring means' acting to close the exhaust'valve and to op'en v:the pressure admission valveV againstY the pressuret'o be regulated, and a spacer "element Asepara-ting said valve members of a length to cause one valve to open by a small amount before the other "is completely closed Vsothatliquid pressure isiadmitted past said valves against inverselyvarying resistances, and the mainvalve member Yis acted upon in opposite directions'by two inversely'varying forces tending to stabilize at the desired level of pressure to be regulated, and to stabilize 'the positions oi" saidmain valve control 4element and `pilot admission 4and'exhaust'valve members therewith.

2. A valve mechanism vfor effecting'a cons-tant straight line pressure Vregulation of a non-'compressible liquid medium which comprises aval-ve assembly including a conduit connecting with -th'e liquid `under pressure 'to be regulated, va second conduit connecting with a pressure at a different levelfand-a liquid pressure controlelementmovable in alternate directions to connect and to close off an opening between said 'conduits and arranged to be `vacted upon in one direction by theA pressure'to-be regulated for conditioning said lopening to reduce `the :pressure to be regulated,

and a pilot valve mechanism responsive Ato the pressure'to beregulated for directing liquid pressure against said control element in the opposite direction, which-comprises .a valve chamber arranged for directing liquid pressure against-said control element in said opposite direction, an inlet ball -valve for admitting the .pressure `to be regulated to said chamber, including a valveseat and a ball member having a line contact there'- with when closed'a-nd movable outwardly of the chamber' to open, an exhaust ball valveincluding a -valve seat and a Yball member having la -line contact ltherewitlfl when closed and movable'ou't'- wardly of the chamber to open, 'spring means tending to close-the inlet pressure ball valve, spring means `tending to kclose the exhaust ball valve, a spacer member interposed between said balls of -a length to cause-one yvalve to open by-a small amount before the other closes so that liquid pressure is admitted past said valves against inversely varying resistances, and the main valve control element is acted upon-in opposite directions by two inversely varying forcestending 'to stabilize at the desired level of pressure to be regulated, and to stabilize the positions of said main valve control element and pilot admission and exhaust valve members therewith.

3. A valve mechanism for effecting a constant straight line pressure regulation of a non-compressible liquid medium which comprises a valve assembly including a conduit connecting with the liquid under pressure to be regulated, a second conduit connecting with an exhaust, and a'liquid pressure Vcontrol element movable in alternate ,directions tc connect and to close oi saidconduits from one another and arranged to be acted upon inrone direction by the` pressure to be regulated for moving the control element to connect said conduits, a pilot valve mechanism responsive to the pressure to be regulated for directing liquid pressure against said control element in the opposite direction which comprises a valve chamber arranged for directing liquid pressure against said control element to move the control element in said opposite direction to close off said conduits from one another, inlet and exhaust ball valves to said chamber arranged opposite one another each having a valve seat and a ball member arranged to be moved from its seat outwardly of thel chamber to open, said inlet and exhaust ball valves having the associated'valve seats constructed for a closing line contact with the associated ball members to provide substantially equal pressure areas at opposite sides thereof, a spacer member interposed loosely through said seats between said ball members, of a length to permit one ball valve to close only after the other is opened by a small amount so that liquid pressure is admitted past said valves against inverseltI varying resistances, means connecting the inlet ball valve with the pressure to be regulated, and spring means acting to close the exhaust ball valve and to open the inlet ball valve, the arrangement of said valve assembly being such that the main valve member is acted upon in opposite directions by two inversely varying forces tending to stabilize at the desired level of pressure to be regulated, and to stabilize the positions of said main valve control element and pilot admission and exhaust valve members therewith.

4. A valve assembly for effecting a, constant straight line pressure regulation of a non-compressible liquid medium which comprises a main valve assembly including a conduit containing the liquid under pressure to be regulated, a second conduit connecting with a pressure at a different level, and an axially shiftable main valve member having at one end thereof an axial bore connecting with said conduit containing the pressure to be regulated and side ports from said bore arranged for alternate positions of said main valve member to be connected with and to be shut off from said second conduit, and a pilot valve mechanism responsive to the pressure to be regulated for controlling movement of the main valve member comprising a Valve chamber connected for directing liquid pressure to urge the main valve member against the pressure to beY regulated, an inlet valve for admitting the liquid under pressure to be regulated to said chamber including a valve seat and a ball valve member constructed to close with a line contact therebetween, said ball member being movable from its seat outwardly of the chamber against the pressure to be regulated to open, an exhaust valve including a valve seat and a ball valve member constructed to close with a line contact therebetween, said ball member being movable from its seat outwardly of the chamber to open, spring means acting to close the exhaust valve, and a spacer element'interposed between said balls of a length to cause one valve to open by a small amount beforethe other vcloses so that liquid pressure is admitted past said valves against inversely varying resistances, and the main valve member is acted upon in opposite directions by two inversely varying forcesI tending to stabilize at the desired level of' pressure to be regulated, and to stabilize the positions of said main valve member and pilot admission and exhaust valve members therewith.

5. Av valve mechanism for effecting a constant straight line pressure regulation of a non-compressible liquid medium which comprises a, main valve assembly including a conduit containing the liquid under pressure to be regulated, a second conduit connected with a pressure at a different level, an axially shiftable main valve member having at one end thereof an axial bore connecting with and arranged to be acted upon by the pressure to be regulated, and side ports from said bore providing a variable opening to said second conduit conditioned by movement of said main valve member under the iniluence of the pressure to be regulated to reduce said pressure, and a secondary liquid pressure actuated piston arranged to act upon the opposite end of said member, and a pilot valve mechanism responsive to the pressure to be regulated for directing liquid pressure against said piston to move the piston and main valve member against the pressure to be regulated, which comprises a valve chamber arranged for directing liquid pressure against said piston, an inlet valve connecting the chamber with the pressure to be regulated and an exhaust valve arranged opposite one another, each having a valve seat and a valve member with a spherical contact surface providinga closing line contact with the seat, each valve member being arranged to be moved from its seat outwardly of the chamber to open, spring means tending to close the exhaust valve, and a spacer element interposed loosely through said seats separating said valve members of a length to cause one valve to open by a small amount only as the other is closed so that liquid pressure is admitted past said valves against inversely varying resistances, and the,

main valve member is acted upon in opposite directions by two inversely varying forces tending to stabilize at the desired level of pressure to be regulated, and to stabilize the positions of said main valve member and pilot valve members therewith.

6. A valve mechanism for eilecting a constant straight line pressure regulation of a non-compressible liquid medium which comprises a main valve assembly including a main valve body having a connection with a pressurefto be regulated and with a dierent level of pressure a main valve control element arranged to be acted upon in one direction by the pressure to be regulated for conditioning said control element and the connections controlled thereby to reduce said pressure and to be acted upon in the opposite direction by a control pressure for conditioning said control element to increase said pressure to be regulated, and a pilot valve mechanism constructed and arranged to weigh directly against the pressure to be regulated and to direct an opposing pressure against said main valve control element to increase said pressure to be regulated, said pilot valve mechanism comprising a chamber connected with said main valve body for diresting; acontrol` pressure to. act against .the conftrol element in the opposite i direction. Y an inlet valve connecting the chamber' with thep-ressure to be regulated andan exhaust Valvearranged opposite one anotheneaeh having, a valveY seat and a valve/member constructed to -closewith .a line Contact between the'valve and seatv` members to provide substantially equalpressure areasat Oppositesides 4of each of said 'valves when closed, andleach. valve member being arranged to be move-d from its seat `outwardly to open, and a spacer element interposed loosely through said seats separating'said'valve members o-f-a length to cause onevalve to open by a' small amount before' the other closes' so that liquid pressure. is admitted past said 'Valves against inversely varyingresistances, and the main valvey member is aotedfupon in the two. oppositedirections by two inversely varying` forces tending to stabilize; at

REFERENCES. CITED The following references are oil"V recordv in .the ile of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date.

54,716. Green- Y May; 1757-, 1866 2,225,915 Maglott Dec. 24I 1940 2,393,571 Schultz'` Jan. 22, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 8,799 GreatBritain May 3, 1895 461429 Great Britain Mar. 22', 1,934 

